A Coastal Foray: Lowestoft to Harwich

Exploring the east coast of England has now been made even easier, with the launch of The Coastal Pass. The interactive booking tool allows visitors to design their own itineraries, explore and book their holidays to the east coast of England at the click of a button.

Before leaving Blythburgh, visit the church to photograph the wooden angles in the roof.

11.15am - Leave Blythburgh and drive along the B1125 to Dunwich. Visit the Lost City, once the busiest port on the east coast, where now only a few houses remain and stop at the beach café, the excellent museum and the abbey ruins. (http://www.dunwichmuseum.org.uk/).

12.30pm - Leave Dunwich and drive to Aldeburgh along the B1122 (signposted to Leiston, traveling via the coast road at Thorpeness).

Pay a visit to Thorpeness, enjoying a boat trip on the Mere, or a nose around the Emporium, before travelling on to Aldeburgh for a stroll along the Prom and to dip your toes in the sea.

4.30pm - Leave Sutton Hoo and drive to Pin Mill, on the Shotley peninsula. Stock up on Suffolk's finest produce at Suffolk Food Hall and take in the views across the Orwell estuary (George Orwell took his name from here, and Arthur Ransome wrote some of his children’s books about this area) (http://www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk/)

Enjoy an early supper at The Butt and Oyster, soaking up the fantastic views of the old fashioned harbour.

7pm - Leave Flatford and drive to Harwich International Port (we recommend the rural route via Mistley and Wrabness on the B1352). The journey takes 30 minutes, where upon arrival, you can enjoy a nightcap or stay in Harwich town at The Pier Hotel.

Suffolk Food Hall has everything you’d expect from a large farm shop and more. It is the 10 year Champion of Champions for Local Food (Countryside Alliance rural oscars) and it’s also an ideal location to the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a restaurant (booking advisable) which has been judged to be the Best On Farm Restaurant in Britain and separate café with a children’s playarea.

The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape packed full with wildlife and exciting places to explore and discover. There's something for everyone with 155 square miles of tranquil and unspoilt landscape including wildlife-rich estuaries, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages.

Whether you’re in search of a great family day out, a birdwatching haven, or trip back in time, the beaches along the Suffolk Coast will provide you with a memorable day out whatever the time of year.

In the winter, Suffolk's beaches take on a whole new persona; with windswept dunes, crashing waves, and bracing winds, they are the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs, stroll hand in hand with your loved one, or enjoy a solitary dog walk.

From tiny meadows to rolling heaths, the nature reserves extend all the way along the Suffolk Coast from Trimley Marshes at Felixstowe to Lound Lakes north of Lowestoft and are some of Suffolk's most inspiring wild places.

Traditional family run fish and chip shop since 1967, offering Cod, Haddock, Plaice, Scampi and more with chips made from locally sourced potatoes. Located a short walk from the beach to enjoy fish and chips 'The Aldeburgh Way'.

where to stay

The Ivy House Country Hotel is a "Hidden Gem" nestled on the banks of Oulton Broad, among 21 acres of gardens, lawns, ponds, marshes and thatched beautiful barns all with direct access onto the broads.

Guests can enjoy relaxing walks in the grounds or venture out onto the Broads pathways or further still, to the nearby coast.